Through its programme on Globalization and Development Strategies, UNCTAD contributes to the international debate on globalization and the management of its consequences for developing countries.

The programme promotes policies at the national, regional and international level that are conducive to stable economic growth and sustainable development. It regularly examines the trends and prospects in the world economy, undertakes studies on the requirements for successful development strategies and on the debt problems of developing countries.

It also provides technical support to developing countries in their efforts to integrate into the international financial system and to manage their external debt.

NEWS

Ghana's University of Cape Coast (UCC) today joined the Virtual Institute (Vi), becoming the Vi's fortieth core university member and the thirteenth country to represent sub-Saharan Africa in the network. The initiative was taken by UCC senior lecturer Camara Kwasi Obeng, a graduate of the Vi's online course on trade and poverty held last year.

The United Nations is organizing a series of consultations on various themes to support governments to agree on a post-2015 development agenda for when the Millennium Development Goals expire. Growth and employment is one of these thematic areas.

UNCTAD's Virtual Institute (Vi) welcomed the sixteenth Colombian university to the network on 4 December. The admission of Universidad de Santo Tomás, from the city of Bucaramanga, has expanded the Vi affiliate network to 32 institutions. Colombia is the country with the highest representation in UNCTAD's programme for academic cooperation.

In repose to Resolution A/GA/66/189 of the General Assembly, the UNCTAD Secretariat took the lead to organize a special event on Sovereign Debt Crises and Restructurings: Lessons Learnt and Proposals for Debt Resolution Mechanisms.

The Director of UNCTAD's Division on Globalization and Development Strategies has warned the delegates attending the General Assembly that "misguided" steps are limiting recovery from the global slowdown. He urged measures to boost income equality so that consumer demand is stimulated.